Plural motor,plural control station planetarium

ABSTRACT

A planetarium includes a parent unit and distal units. The parent unit comprises a control console mounted on a operation unit for controlling motion mechanisms generally incorporated in the planetarium. The distal units are disposed on some of the seats for the spectators or students and enable them to control the motions of the planetarium through the parent unit. The controlling operations of the distal units are coordinated by electric circuits so as to eliminate interference therebetween. The control operations on the distal units are indicated on the parent unit.

United States Patent [1 1 Miyajima et a1.

[ PLURAL MOTOR, PLURAL CONTROL STATION PLANETARIUM lnventors: Tohru Miyaiima, Sakai; Yoshiharu Ichimoto, lzumi; Arinori Saelti, Sakai, all of Japan Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, Japan Filed: Jan. 8, 1971 Appl. No.: 104,942

[73] Assignee:

US. Cl 318/547, 318/17, 35/425 Int. Cl. 1102p 7/20 Field of Search 318/17, 51, 54, 547,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,278,819 10/1966 Oswald ..318/547X RYc 2 AClZv el-3 Fez-3 TEZ- PLC? L.

[4 Dec. 25, 1973 3,218,531 11/1965 Smith et al 318/547 X 2,299,887 10/1942 Fell 318/548 X 3,174,086 3/1965 Gorjanc 318/54 X 1,557,065 10/1925 King 318/547 X 2,194,986 3/1940 Nessell 318/625 Primary ExaminerT. E. Lynch Attorney-Stanley Wolder [57] ABSTRACT A planetarium includes a parent unit and distal units. The parent unit comprises a control console mounted on a operation unit for controlling motion mechanisms generally incorporated in the planetarium. The distal units are disposed on some of the seats for the spectators or students and enable them to control the motions of the planetarium through the parent unit. The controlling operations of the distal units are coordinated by electric circuits so as to eliminate interference therebetween. The control operations on the distal units are indicated on the parent unit.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1E llllll lF 3Q 2Q 1 U miixlltb illllflwmflml IIIIIIILL Ill. 9 K L 2 PLURAL MOTOR, PLURAL CONTROL STATION PLANETARIUM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For the study of astronomy with the aid of a planetarium, much better educational results will be achieved if the students themselves can control the operation of the planetarium. However, a conventional planetarium equipped with only one control unit is inconvenient in that a great number of students can not individually control the apparatus as desired. Since such education is provided only for a limited period of time, the time limit is apt to disturb the study if the apparatus is operated by the students, with the result that efficient study would be deteriorated. Moreover, it will be difficult to afford every student an equal opportunity to control the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ordinated system and guidance without troubles to be caused by individual and concurrent control operations conducted by the students.

The planetarium of this invention comprises a planetarium main body, a control parent unit to be used by the instructor for controlling the overall operation of the planetarium and a plurality of distal units to be operated by a great number of students so that they can control part or all of the operations only through the parent unit, the parent unitbeing provided with coordinating means for controlling the operations by the distal units and means for indicating the control operations performed by the distal units.

Accordingly, the present invention enables a great number of students to control one planetarium through a number of the distal units with equal opportunity and without troubles due to the individual control operations, the invention thus insuring effective and efficient group education of astronomy.

In accordance with this invention, the functions of a planetarium can be controlled only through one parent unit, so that the elements on the parent unit can be utilized as the essential elements required for control on the individual distal units, with the result that the distal control units to be provided in a great number can be made simple in construction. In the case where a great number of control units are operated individually or the same system in the planetarium is simultaneously operated by way of many control units for positive or reverse rotation, there arises a possibility of troubles and therefore a need to coordinate the individual control operations. Such coordination can be readily provided by the parent unit. The present apparatus has a further advantage that means are readily incorporated therein for giving operation instructions to the distal units and for indicating the operations individually performed by the distal units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The drawings show a principal embodiment of this invention comprising a planetarium main body 1, a parent unit 2 which is specifically a switch board to be operated by an instructor and distal units 3, which are switch boards to be operated by students. Generally, the elements to be operated on the planetarium main body are motors M M3, M M (see FIG. 4) for controlling motions such as annual motion, precession motion, daily motion, latitude motion, switches for lamps serving as light sources for projectors and other attachments. If it is possible for students to control the above-mentioned four motions as desired, education on astronomy will then be carried out almost satisfactorily. Accordingly, description will be given below with reference to an embodiment wherein the motors M to M for effecting the four motions can be controlled by each of the distal units 3.

The parent unit 2 is capable of controlling all of the devices generally incorporated in the main body ll of the planetarium, while the distal unit 3 is so adapted as to control the respective motors M M M and M mounted on the parent unit 2 through electric control circuits for the motors. The parent unit 2 is further provided with functions to selectively permitting the distal unit 3 to perform the above controlling operations and with indicator means for inspecting such operations conducted by the distal unit 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates an electric circuit incorporated in the distal unit 3 and adapted to control each of the four motors M M M and M Indicated at SW SW SW and SW, are switches for initiating each of the motors into positive or reverse rotation and for stopping the rotation. For example, the switch SW, controls the motor M,, for daily motion. When the switch SW is switched to a positive side, a positive voltage is obtained at a terminal member A on terminal T while when it is switched to a negative side, a negative voltage is obtained. Terminal members B, C and D, connected to the switches SW SW and SW. respectively,

give positive or negative voltage in the same manner as above by operating the respective switches. Terminal members E and G on the terminal T are connected to an AC current source on the parent unit 2, and the terminal member G is grounded. Diodes RE, and RE are rectifiers for producing positive and negative voltages for signal. RE produces a positive voltage, while RE produces a negative voltage. Capacitors C and C serve to smooth each of the above voltages. A lamp L illuminates the rear faces of indicator plates and also serves to indicate the passage of current into the electric circuit on the distal unit. The lamp L thus makes it possible to operate the unit-in the dark. A lamp L is used for explanation of a constellation or the like. For instance, it is provided for a projector cylinder to be used by the student for projecting an arrow mark. A button switch SW turns on and off the lamp L The present apparatus includes a number of the distal units 3 provided with the electric circuit described above. The terminals T, of the distal units 3 are connected by cables to input terminals Ta, Tb,...., Tn on the parent unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, a transformer Tr, provides the AC current source for operating the circuits on the distal units 3. For instance, the transformer produces a changed voltage of 12V. Switches SWa, SWb,...., SWn are inserted in the electric circuits connected to the distal units 3. Through the switching operation thereby effected, each of the distal units 3 is permitted to operate or prevented from operation. Accordingly, it is possible to operate some of the switches SWa, SWb,...., SWn by the parent unit 2 to thereby permit the operation of only particular distal units 3. Pairs of terminal members a,, a b,, b 0,, c d,, d; and a terminal member g on terminal T serve as junctions of lines connected to the motor driving circuits shown in FIG. 4. Suppose the daily motion switch SW, on the distal unit 3 in FIG. 2 is turned on for positive rotation, a positive voltage will be obtained at the terminal member a,, while, on the contrary, if it is switched reversely, a negative voltage will be obtained at the terminal member a,. Thus, by turning on the switch SW, on any distal unit 3, a positive voltage is obtained at the terminal member a, or a negative voltage at the terminal member a by way of any one of the terminals Ta, Tb,...., Tn, the voltage corresponding to the operation of the switch SW, being obtained selectively.

Depending upon whether a positive or negative voltage is supplied to the terminal member A on the input terminal, for example, on terminal Ta, rectifying elements RE, and RE, shown in FIG. 3 perform selection to introducea corresponding positive voltage to the terminal member a, or a negative voltage to the terminal member a Rectifying elements are also provided for switches SW,, SW,, and SW,, other than for daily motion so that signals can be obtained selectively at the respective pairs of the terminal members b,, b 0,, c and d,, d connected to the circuits in which the pertinent switches are incorporated.

Relays RY RY RY RY RY,,,, RY in FIG. 4 have contacts r,,, r r,,, r,,, r 412-4; bll in-4; b2-I 02-4; cI-I cz-i dI-I r,, r each relay having four interlocked contacts. Each pair of the relays RY,,,, RY RY RY, and the respective contacts thereof are constructed as follows. Relay RY, is connected to the input terminal member a, on the terminal T through the closing contact r,, interlocked with the relay RY The relay RY is connected to the input terminal member a, on the terminal T, by the closing contact r interlocked with the relay RY,,,. The terminal T is connected to the terminal T and positive or negative signals introduced by the respective switches SW,, SW, are applied to the input terminals on the terminal T When a positive voltage is applied to the input terminal member a,, the relay RY, is energized and the contact r is opened at the same time, so that the other relay RY, is freed from the input terminal member 0 As a result, even if the switch SW, on some other distal unit 3 is switched for reverse rotation, the relay RY will not be energized.

The interlocked contacts r,,,., and r of the relays RY and RY, will now be described. The closing contacts r and r are inserted between the relays RY,,,, RY and the lamps L,,,, L Contacts r,,,.,,, r,,, and r r are disposed between the motor M A and a power source E therefor in combination. More specifically, the contacts r,,, and r,,, for closing operation are disposed at one end of a circuit 4 for reverse rotation, and the contacts K K,,,,.., are disposed at the other end of a circuit 5 for positive rotation. When the relay RY is energized, the contact r is closed to turn on the lamp L while the contacts r,,, r,,, close one end of the circuit 5 for positive rotation so as to energize the circuit 5 in cooperation with the contacts r and r which are disposed at the other end of the circuit 5 in closed state. Accordingly, the motor M A for daily motion is driven in the positive direction. On the other hand, when the relay RY is energized, the contact r,, is closed to turn on the lamp L and the contacts r r close the other end of the circuit 4 for reverse rotation so as to energize the circuit 4 for reverse rotation in cooperation with the r and r,,,.., in closed state at one endof the circuit 4. Thus, the motor M A is driven in the reverse direction.

Each pair of the other relays RY RY RY RY and RY,,,, RY and the contacts interlocked therewith in each combination are so adapted as to bring the corresponding motor M M or M,, into positive or reverse rotation in the same manner as above, the arrangement being shown in FIG. 4. Lamps Lb,, Lb Ld,, Ld are pirot lamps disposed in each circuit.

FIG. 5 shows a signal lamp circuit included in the parent unit 2 for the inspection of operation. Indicated at Ta, Tb, Tn in the drawing are terminals branching out respectively from the'input terminals in FIG. 3 and at SL SL,,, SL signal lamps. Each pair of relays RY RY RY RY RY RY is connected to each terminal of each terminal of the distal unit 3. Rectifying elements RE and RE are provided as shown so that, when a positive or negative signal is applied to any one of the terminal members A, B, C, D of each terminal, current passes through the relay RY or RY More particularly, when the signal is positive, current passes through the relay RY of each pair, while if it is negative, current passes through the other relay RY Each relay RY RY RY is provided with one of the interlocked contacts r r r r r r Each pair of the contacts r r r,,,, r is connected in parallel with onevof the lamps SL,,, SL SL Thus, when desired one of the switches SW,, on any distal unit 3 is switched to the positive or negative side, a positive or negative signal is introduced through the input terminal member corresponding to the switch which terminal member is included in the terminal supplied with the signal from the distal unit 3. As a result one of a pair of the above relays is energized to close the corresponding contact and turn on the signal lamp corresponding to the distal unit 3 whose switch is operated. In this manner, the parent unit provided with the signal lamp circuit indicates that some operation has been made on the distal unit 3. The turning on of the lamp L L L,,,, L,,,, also indicates what operation has been made.

For the control of the light source lamp for each projector of the planetarium, the lamp can be turned on or off with much greater ease than in the control of the direction in which the motor is driven. Accordingly, the description will not be given with respect to an embodiment wherein switching of the lamp and control of other devices attached to the planetarium can be effected on the distal units. It is to be understood that various modification of the invention can of course be made without departing the spirit thereof. The planetarium of this invention can further be put to use for audience in general in addition to educational use.

We claim:

1. A planetarium system comprising a planetarium projector including a plurality of controllable operating parameters, a parent control means for controlling each of said operating parameters, a plurality of mutually spaced distal control means remote from said parent control means for controlling at least one of said operating parameters, means response to the actuation of one of said distal control means to control one of said operating parameters for disabling the other distal control means from controlling said respective operating parameter, means at said parent control means for indicating which of said operating parameters is actuated by said distal control means, a source of current, means for selectively connecting each of said distal control means to said current source to enable the respective distal control means, and a pilot lamp located at each of said distal control means and connected to said current source through said connecting means.

2. A planetarium system comprising a planetarium projector including a plurality of controllable operating parameters, a parent control means for controlling each of said operating parameters, a plurality of mutually spaced distal control means remote from said parent control means for controlling at least one of said operating parameters, means response to the actuation of one of said distal control means to control one of said operating parameters for disabling the other distal control means from controlling said respective operating parameter, means at said parent control means for indicating which of said operating parameters is actuated by said distal control means, a source of current, an indication projector including a lamp disposed at each of said distal control means, and means for selectively connecting said lamps to said source of current.

3. A planetarium system comprising a planetarium projector having a plurality of controllable operating parameters, including the independent angular adjustments of said planetarium projector about different axes, a parent control means for controlling each of said operating parameters, a plurality of mutually spaced distal control means remote from said parent control means for controlling at least one of said operating parameters, means response to the actuation of one of said distal control means to control one of said operating parameters for disabling the other distal control means from controlling said respective operating parameter, and means at said parent control means for indicating which of said operating parameters is actuated by said distal control means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said planetarium projector comprises means including an electric motor for effecting each of said angular adjustments, said parent control means comprising a source of current and switches for selectively connecting said motors to said source of current.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said parent control means comprises means for selectively enabling said distal control means including a switch connected between said source of current and each of said distal control means.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said switches is defined by the solenoid actuated contacts of a relay and said relays are controlled by each of said distal control means.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said planetarium projector comprises means including a reversible DC motor for effecting each of said angular adjustments, said parent control means comprising a source of DC current, a pair of relays associa ted with each of said motors and including contacts disposed between a respective motor and said DC current source and solenoids, such that deenergization of said solenoids disconnects said motor from said DC current source, energization of one of said solenoids actuates the contacts to connect said motor to said DC current source in a first sense and energization of the other of said solenoids actuates the contacts to connect said motor to said DC current source in an opposite sense and each of said distal control means includes switches for alternatively connecting selected solenoids to a source of current.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said disabling means comprises a normally closed contact pair connecting each solenoid of each of said pairs of solenoids to said distal control means, the energization of one of said solenoids opening the contact pair of the other solenoid of the respective pair of solenoids. 

1. A planetarium system comprising a planetarium projector including a plurality of controllable operating parameters, a parent control means for controlling each of said operating parameters, a plurality of mutually spaced distal control means remote from said parent control means for controlling at least one of said operating parameters, means response to the actuation of one of said distal control means to control one of said operating parameters for disabling the other distal control means from controlling said respective operating parameter, means at said parent control means for indicating which of said operating parameters is actuated by said distal control means, a source of current, means for selectively connecting each of said distal control means to said current source to enable the respective distal control means, and a pilot lamp located at each of said distal control means and connected to said current source through said connecting means.
 2. A planetarium system comprising a planetarium projector including a plurality of controllable operating parameters, a parent control means for controlling each of said operating parameters, a plurality of mutually spaced distal control means remote from said parent control means for controlling at least one of said operating parameters, means response to the actuation of one of said distal control means to control one of said operating parameters for disabling the other distal control means from controlling said respective operating parameter, means at said parent control means for indicating which of said operating parameters is actuated by said distal control means, a source of current, an indication projector including a lamp disposed at each of said distal control means, and means for selectively connecting said lamps to said source of current.
 3. A planetarium system comprising a planetarium projector having a plurality of controllable operating parameters, including the independent angular adjustments of said planetarium projector about different axes, a parent control means for controlling each of said operating parameters, a plurality of mutually spaced distal control means remote from said parent control means for controlling at least one of said operating parameters, means response to the actuation of one of said distal control means to conTrol one of said operating parameters for disabling the other distal control means from controlling said respective operating parameter, and means at said parent control means for indicating which of said operating parameters is actuated by said distal control means.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said planetarium projector comprises means including an electric motor for effecting each of said angular adjustments, said parent control means comprising a source of current and switches for selectively connecting said motors to said source of current.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said parent control means comprises means for selectively enabling said distal control means including a switch connected between said source of current and each of said distal control means.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said switches is defined by the solenoid actuated contacts of a relay and said relays are controlled by each of said distal control means.
 7. The system of claim 3 wherein said planetarium projector comprises means including a reversible DC motor for effecting each of said angular adjustments, said parent control means comprising a source of DC current, a pair of relays associa ted with each of said motors and including contacts disposed between a respective motor and said DC current source and solenoids, such that deenergization of said solenoids disconnects said motor from said DC current source, energization of one of said solenoids actuates the contacts to connect said motor to said DC current source in a first sense and energization of the other of said solenoids actuates the contacts to connect said motor to said DC current source in an opposite sense and each of said distal control means includes switches for alternatively connecting selected solenoids to a source of current.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said disabling means comprises a normally closed contact pair connecting each solenoid of each of said pairs of solenoids to said distal control means, the energization of one of said solenoids opening the contact pair of the other solenoid of the respective pair of solenoids. 